Scabiosa plant named ‘SGIPU2-0’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Scabiosa  cultivar named ‘SGIPU2-0’ is disclosed, characterized by large, purple-violet colored flowers and unique thick flower stems. The new variety is a  Scabiosa , suitable as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Scabiosa columbaria.

Variety denomination: ‘SGIPU2-0’.

The new Scabiosa cultivar is the product of a planned breeding programby the inventor John Robb, a citizen of Australia. The breeding programwas carried out in Kulnura, New South Wales, Australia. The objective ofthe breeding program was to develop new Scabiosa varieties with goodcharacteristics for ornamental purposes.

The new variety resulted from the crossing of the seed parent, anunnamed, unpatented proprietary Scabiosa seedling with the pollenparent, an unnamed, unpatented proprietary Scabiosa seedling on February1 of 2002. The new variety was discovered on February 13 of 2003 by theinventor in a group of seedlings resulting from the 2002 crossing, in acommercial greenhouse in Kulnura, New South Wales, Australia.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘SGIPU2-0’ by vegetativecuttings was first performed at a commercial greenhouse in Kulnura, NewSouth Wales, Australia on February 15 of 2003. Subsequently at leastfive generations have been produced from vegetative cuttings, and haveshown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable andreproduced true to type. After observing the new variety confidentiallyover multiple seasons, the variety was also propagated in tissueculture, in a controlled laboratory, without access by third parties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SGIPU2-0’ has not observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length and lightintensity, without however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘SGIPU2-0.’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘SGIPU2-0’ as a new and distinct Scabiosacultivar:

-   -   1. Purple-Violet colored flowers.    -   2. Distinctive thick flowering stem.    -   3. Large flower size.

COMPARISON TO THE PARENT VARIETIES

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SGIPU2-0’ are similar in most horticulturalcharacteristics to plants of the unnamed, unpatented proprietary seedparent. However, the new variety has a larger overall flower size andthicker flower stem than the seed parent. Also the plant is taller thanthe seed parent. Additionally, ‘SGIPU2-0’ produce a darker coloredflower than the seed parent.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SGIPU2-0’ are similar in most horticulturalcharacteristics to plants of the unnamed, unpatented proprietary pollenparent. However, the new variety has a larger overall flower size andthicker flower stem than the pollen parent. Also the plant is tallerthan the pollen parent. Additionally, plants of ‘SGIPU2-0’ produce amuch darker colored flower than the pollen parent.

COMPARISON TO COMMERCIAL VARIETY

The new cultivar can be compared to the commercial variety ‘SGIBL01-0’,U.S. plant patent application Ser. No. 13/385,907, currently pendingbefore the USPTO. Plants of the two cultivars are similar in mosthorticultural characteristics, however, plants of ‘SGIPU2-0’ produce adarker colored flower, with stronger purple coloration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical flower of ‘SGIPU2-0’.

FIG. 2 illustrates a typical plant of ‘SGIPU2-0’ grown in a greenhouse,in a 6 inch commercial pot. Age of the plant photographed isapproximately 30 weeks from a rooted cutting. The photographs were takenusing conventional techniques and although colors may appear differentfrom actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate aspossible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2001 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurement describe ‘SGIPU2-0’ plants grown in a commercialgreenhouse in Oxnard, Calif. The growing temperature ranged fromapproximately 12° C. to 30° C. The greenhouse is subject to partialshade. General light conditions are bright, normal sunlight with someshade during the brightest part of the day. Measurements and numericalvalues represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Scabiosa columbaria ‘SGIPU2-0’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: About 10 to 15 days at approximately 20 to    25° C.-   Root description: Fine, fibrous.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Upright.-   Age of the plant described: Approximately 20 weeks from a well    rooted cutting.-   Pot size of plant described: 6 inch pot.-   Height: Approximately 21 cm from soil line to top of foliar plane.    Approximately 48 cm to top of highest flower.-   Plant spread: Approximately 25 cm at widest point.-   Growth rate: Moderate.-   Branching characteristics: Basal rosettes of main stems with smaller    lateral branches.-   Length of primary stems: Approximately 17 cm.-   Quantity of primary lateral branches: Average 5.-   Characteristics of primary lateral branches:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.7 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green 143C.        -   Texture.—Highly pubescent, soft, dense, velvety.        -   Strength.—Very strong.-   Internode length: Average range to 10 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Quantity.—Basal rosettes with average 12 leaves.        -   Average length.—Approximately 16.5 cm.        -   Average width.—Approximately 5.0 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Overall shape obovate, pinnatifid.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Attenuate.        -   Margin.—Dentate.        -   Appearance of top surface.—Matte.        -   Appearance of top surface.—Matte.        -   Pubescence.—Very short, soft, less than 1 mm hairs, densely            covering top and bottom leaf surfaces.        -   Aspect.—Very slightly undulating, overall leaf, including            petiole, reflexes downward. Leaf blade slightly folds up            from the mid vein.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137C. Young            foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137C. Mature foliage            upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Mature foliage under side:            Near RHS Green 137C.        -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS            Green 143C. Venation color under side: Near RHS Green 143C.        -   Petiole.—Length: Average range between 2.5cm to 6.0 cm.            Diameter: Approximately 0.5 cm. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green            145B. Texture: Pubescent.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Spring and Summer.-   Time to flowering from rooted cutting: Approximately 15 weeks.-   Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Terminal composite    inflorescence, round, with numerous complete flowers. Outer flowers    larger than the inner flowers. Approximately 30 large and 60 smaller    flowers per inflorescence.-   Rate of flower opening: Approximately 2 weeks from bud to fully    opened flower.-   Inflorescence longevity on plant: At least 2 weeks before any    significant change is observed. Individual flowers become dry,    without significant color change.-   Approximate quantity of flowers per plant: Approximately 15 mature    and immature inflorescence per plant.-   Flowers persistent:-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Diameter of entire inflorescence.—Approximately 6.0 cm.        -   Depth of inflorescence.—Approximately 3.1 cm.        -   Inner cushion diameter.—Approximately 3.0 cm.        -   Receptacle shape.—Dome.        -   Receptacle height.—Average 0.7 cm.        -   Receptacle diameter.—Average 1.2 cm.        -   Receptacle color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144D.-   Individual flower bud:    -   -   Shape.—Sphere.        -   Length.—Approximately 0.3 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.2 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green 143C.-   Large outer flowers:    -   -   Flower length: 2.5 cm.        -   Flower width: 2.0 cm.        -   Upper petals (upper lip).—Number: 4, fused together at base.            Length: 0.5 cm. Width: 0.5 cm. Shape: Obicular. Margin:            Entire. Texture: Glabrous, matte. Color: When opening: Upper            surface: RHS Violet 83D. Lower surface: RHS Violet 83D.            Fully opened: Upper surface:. RHS Purple-Violet N82B. Lower            surface: RHS Purple-Violet N82B.        -   Lower petals (lower lip).—Quantity: 3. Length: 1.8 cm.            Width: 1.0 cm. Shape: Spatulate, all 3 petals fused together            at base. Apex shape: Obtuse, with minutely shallow lobes.            Ruffled appearance. Color: When opening: Upper surface: RHS            Purple-Violet N82A, but darker. Lower surface: RHS            Purple-Violet N82B with center blotch near N82D. Fully            opened: Upper surface: RHS Purple-Violet N82A, flush            Purple-Violet N81A on center of petal, margins Violet 83A.            Lower surface: RHS Purple-Violet N82D, margins Violet 83A.        -   Throat.—Length: 0.6 cm. Width: 0.15 cm. Texture: glabrous,            shiny. Color: Near Violet 84D, inner and outer surfaces.        -   Bracteole.—Quantity: 6 per flower. Length: Average 0.6 cm.            Diameter: less than 0.1 cm. Shape: Linear. Texture:            Glabrous, shiny. Color: Near RHS Purple 79A.-   Smaller inner flowers:    -   -   Flower length.—1.3 cm.        -   Flower width.—0.8 cm.        -   Upper petals (upper lip).—Number: 2, fused together at base.            Length: 0.3 cm. Width: 0.3 cm. Shape: Obicular. Margin:            Entire or ruffled. Texture: Glabrous, matte. Color: When            opening: Upper surface: RHS Purple-Violet N82D. Lower            surface: RHS Purple-Violet N82D. Fully opened: Upper            surface: RHS Purple-Violet N82C. Lower surface: RHS            Purple-Violet N82D.        -   Lower petals (lower lip).—Quantity: 3. Length: 0.4 cm.            Width: 0.3 cm. Shape: Spatulate. Apex shape: Obtuse, with            minutely shallow lobes. When opening: Color: When opening:            Upper surface: RHS Purple-Violet N82C. Lower surface: RHS            Purple-Violet N82D. Fully opened: Upper surface: RHS            Purple-Violet N82C, margin N82A. Lower surface: RHS            Purple-Violet N82D.        -   Throat.—Length: 0.4 cm. Width: 0.2 cm. Texture: glabrous,            shiny. Color: Near Purple 76D, inner and outer surfaces.        -   Bracteole.—Quantity: 6 per flower. Length: Average 0.6 cm.            Diameter: less than 0.1 cm. Shape: Linear, hair-like.            Texture: Glabrous, shiny. Color: Near RHS Purple N79A.-   Flower color fading: No noticeable color change observed.-   Phyllaries/involucral bracts:    -   -   Quantity per inflorescence.—Average 12.        -   Shape.—Oblanceolate.        -   Length.—Approximately 0.8 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 0.2 cm.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Truncate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture.—Pubescent, all surfaces.        -   Color.—Upper Surface: Near RHS Green 137A. Lower Surface:            Near RHS Green 137A.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—Longest average 33 cm. Shortest average 20 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.6 cm.        -   Texture.—Densely pubescent. Hairs moderately stiff,            appressed.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green 138A.        -   Orientation.—Approximately 30 degree angle from stem.            Moderate undulation.-   Fragrance: Faint, slightly sweet.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Reproductive organs identical in both size flowers.

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—4.        -   Filament length.—Approximately 0.5 cm.-   Anthers:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 0.1 cm.        -   Shape.—Linear.        -   Color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 69D.        -   Pollen.—Not observed.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—Approximately 1.2 cm.        -   Style.—Length: Approximately 1.1 cm. Color: Near RHS            Red-Purple 69D.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Oblate. Color: Near RHS Purple N79C.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Not observed.-   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistant nor susceptible to normal    diseases and pests of Scabiosa.-   Temperature tolerance: USDA zones 3-9.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Scabiosa plantnamed ‘SGIPU2-0’ as herein illustrated and described.